Dispensing-machine for post-cards and the like.



Y W. D, EVANS & J, T MARSHALL DISPENSING MAUHINE FOR POST CARDS AND THE LIKE- APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29, 190B.

921 89.; Patented May 11, 1909.

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W6 D. EVANS & J T...MARSHALL. DISPENSING MACHINE FOR POST mums AND THE LIKE,

APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 29, 1908.

Patented. May 1, 1909:

6 SHEBTS-SHEBT 2.

ATTORNEYS THE cams PETERS c0, wAsI-mvarou. c.

'W. D. EVANS & J. T. MARSHALL. DISPENSING MAOHINE FOR POST CARDS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29,}908. I

Patented. May 11, 1909 6 SHEETS SREET 3.

WITNESSES JHE mamas Pzrsks ca, WASHINGTON. n. c.

W. D. EVANS & J. T. MARSHALL.

DISPENSING MACHINE FUR POST CARDS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29, 1908.

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W. 1). EVANS & L1. MARSHALL. msrmlsme MACHINE FOR POSTCARDS AND THE LIKE. APPLIGATIQKEILED 212.29, 1903.

921,389. v PatentedMayll, 1909.

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w. n. EVANS'Gz J; T; MARSHALL. DISPENSING MACHINE BOB POST GARDS AND- THE LIKE.

' APP'LI'GATI FHLED SEPT. 29, 1908.

921,389. r -Pa.1 :entedMay11,1909.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT @FFTCF...

WILLIAM D. EVANS AND JOHN T. MARSHALL, OF EUPORA, MISSISSIPFI.

DISPENSING-MACHINE FOR POST-CARDS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1 1, 1909.

Application filed September 2 9, .1908. Serial No. 455,360.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM D. EVANS and JOHN T. MAnsHALL, both citizens of the United States, and residents of Eupora, in the county of l Vebster and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and Improved Dispensing-Machine for Post-Cards and the Like, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description;

This invention relates to certain improvements in dispensing or vending machines, and more particularly to that type of machine adapted for dispensing or vending postcards or analogous articles.

The main features-of our invention relate to the mechanism whereby a card may be taken from any one of a series of piles by a single dispensing device; the mechanism whereby a predetermined number of cards may be withdrawn upon the insertion of but one coin the mechanism for lifting a card from a pile and conveying it to the delivery opening; the mechanism for releasing the card from the conveying mechanism and forcing it outward through the delivery opening, and the mechanism for restacking the cards in each pile after a card has been withdrawn therefrom. v

Other features of our invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter in connection with the detail description of the specific form illustrated.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts inall the figures, and in. which Y Figure 1. is a top plan view of a inechanisi constructed in accordance with our invention, the top of the case of a portion thereof being removed; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the dispensing mechanism with the top of the casing and the selecting keys removed 1 Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the lines 66 of Figs. 1 and 5; and Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 77 of Fig. 4.

Our improved machine is made up of two main portions or sections, one serving to support the different piles of cards from other serving to withdraw a card from the selected pile and deliver it upon the insertion of a coin and the operating of the mechanism. These parts or sections are relatively movable, so that the dispensing portionmay be brought into cooperation with any pile of the card-supporting portion. be moved in respect to the other, but, preferably, the cards are mounted upon a rotary tray or platform. The dispensing mechanism remains stationary and is-so mounted that the different piles of cards on the tray or platform are brought beneath the dispensing mechanism in succession as the tray or platform is rotated. The machine may be mounted upon'any suitable standard or base, and may be operated by any suitable power, as, for instance, an electric motor, a spring motor, or a hand-operated crank. For purposes of illustration, we have illustrated only the hand-operated crank, although it is evident that we do not wish to be limited to this.

In the specific form illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, we provide a table 10, mounted upon suitable legs 11. A tray 12 of substantially the same size as the table top, is rotatably-mounted directly thereon and serves to support the cards or other articles to be dispensed. The table carries an upwardly-extending peripheral wall 13,,which latter supports a cover or top 14, spaced above the tray and serving to prevent the removal of the cards save by means of the dispensing mechanism. The top is provided with a transparent peri heral portion 15, through which the severa piles of cards may be seen and the proper selection made. The central portion of the top may be opaque and serve to support advertising matter. The tray 12 is provided with an annular row of radially-disposed pockets or cells 16 for receiving the several piles of cards, which cards may be readily seen through the transparent portion 15 of the top. Each pocket or cell is provided with recesses 17 upon the opposite sides thereof, to permit the engagement of the gripping mechanism with the edges of the card, as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter. For rotating the tray or platform, there is provided an upwardlyextending shaft 18, having its lower end seated in a recess in the table 10, and having its upper which the purchaser may select and the 1 end provided witha suitable handle 19. The

Either part may.

chaser to make the desired selection.

shaft is rigid with the tray 12 and supports the latter a slight distance above the tab e 10 to reduce friction, and is journaled inan upwardly-extending sleeve 20 carried by the top 14. The tray is preferably rotatable in only one direction, the mechanism for preventing rotation in the opposite direction involving a series of ratchet teeth21 in the table 10 and a spring catch or pawl 22 carried by the tray 12 and in engagement with said teeth.

The top 14 supports the dispensing mech anism, which latter extends radially from adjacent the center of the top to one edge thereof. It extends directly across the annular row of pockets 16, so that any one of these pockes may be directly beneath the dispensing mechanism, to permit the pug- T e dispensing mechanism is contained within a case 23, which latter also carries the key mechanism for controlling the rotation of the tray. The tray is normally locked against rotation, but upon the insertion of a coin and the release of the key mechanism, the tray may be rotated to bring the desired card beneath the dispensing mechanism. The specific means for controlling the rotation of the tray, involves a spiral row of stops 24, carried by the tray within the row of pockets,

one stop corresponding to each pocket. Each stop is provided with a beveled face and a recess adjacent one end of the bevel, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and each stop carries a flange 25 extending into a recess in the table, as illustrated particu larly in Fig. 3. In engagement with one side of the flange is a spring normally tending to hold the stop in a predetermined position but permitting a slight movement of the stop in respect to the tray. I

The case 23 carries a series of vertically disposed plungers 26, each arranged at a dif ferent distance from the center of the tray and so arranged as to cooperate with. the corresponding stop 24. As any plunger is depressed, the lower end thereof comes into the path of the stop and the tray may be rotated until the cam surface of the stop en ages with the lower end of the plunger and the stop moves topermit the plunger to enter the 're-' cess in the side of the stop. Further move- 'ment of the tray is then positively prevented. Each plunger is rovided with a coil spring 27, normally ten to raise the lunger out of engagement with the stop, an each plunger carries a catch 28 for locking the plunger in its lowered and operative position while the dispensing mechanisn'r is in operation. Adjacent the lower ends of the plunger-s, they pass through a stationary guide plate 29, and adjacent the lower surface of said guide plate is a movable plate 30 normally held in engagement with the sides of the plungers bear ing the catches 28, by a spring 31. The plate 29 comes directly beneath the catches 28, and the latter are inclined on their lower surfaces, so that saidplateis moved longitudinally by the depressing of any plunger. When the plunger is depressed to the limiting extent, the top of the catch comes beneath the plate and the spring 31 returns the latter, so as to engage with the upper side of the catch and prevent the return upward movement of the plunger. The plunger is thuslocked in its depressed position, and after the tray is rotated to bring the corresponding stud 24 into engagement with the lower end of the depressed flange, the tray is locked against further rotation. The catches 28 are all of the same size, so that with one plunger locked in its de ressed position, the depression of a secon' plunger will liberate the first plunger. Thus there will always be one plunger locked in a depressed position, but the depression of any other plunger will'caus'e it to become locked and will cause the previously locked plunger to be liberated. As illustrated, the sto s 24 are arranged in a spiral line and the en wall of the case 23 is dis osed diagonally so as to bring the several p ungers into the paths of the several stops. Instead of arranging the plungers in a diagonal line, the lower ends may be offset different extents to bring them into the paths of the stops. Even though the plungers be disposed in a diagonal line, it is found desirable that the pl'ungers nearest the center of the tray have oflset lower ends 26", as indicated particularly in Figs. 1 and 4. The extent of the offset may vary, the greatest oflset being on the plunger at the end of the row. This is found desirable by reason of the fact that-the end portion of the rod comes nearly tangential to a circle concentric with the tray.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for depressing the plungers, but as illustrated there are emplo ed a series of rods 32, extending longitu inally of the case 23, and each terminating at the front end in a corresponding button or head Each rod 32 is normally held in its forward position by a coil spring 34, and at its rear end is provided a cam surface 35 for en aging with a head 36 on the correspondim pl unger 26. By pressing inwardly on anytutton, the attached rod is forced inwardly and the cam surface causes a depression of the corresponding plunger. All of the rods 32 are normally locked against movement, save upon the insertion of a coin, the locking mechanism including a catch or shoulder 37 on the under side of each rod 32, and a pivoted plate 38 mounted below the rods and having an upturned flange 39 for engagement with said catches or shoulders 37. This plate extends transversely of the machine, as illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 and 4, and engages with the shoulders of each and all of the rods 32. The plate is con nected to the coin-controlled mechanism, so

that it is moved out of engagement with all of the stops upon the insertion of a coin, whereupon any one of the buttons 33 may be pressed inwardly. As it is necessary to have all of the rods 32 closely adjacent each other, the front end of each alternate rod is preferably bent downwardly and extends through the case at a lower level than the remaining rods, so that they overlap, presenting two horizontal rows of buttons spaced apart a suflicient distance to permit the operation of any one of the buttons independently of the others. The buttons are numbered to correspond with the numbers of the several pockets in the tray, so that upon selecting a card, the button corresponding in number to the number of the pocket containing the se lected card, may be pressed, and upon rotating the tray, it will be stopped with the desired card beneath the dispensing mecl1anlSnl- The dispensing mechanism which is preferably controlled by the insertion of a coin, operates to lift a card off the pile which is beneath said dispensing mechanism and to bring it forwardly and eject it from the machine. This mechanism may be operated by means of any suitable power desired, but a simple form of operating mechanism involves a mere hand-operated crank 40. This crank is connected to a main shaft 41, which may be oscillated back and forth within predetermined limits. The limits may be defined by a guide 42 secured to the outside of the case and adapted to engage with the handle at each end of the stroke. YVhen the machine is coin controlled, the handle is locked against movement to its limiting position in one direction, and this locking mechanismis adapted to be released upon the insertion of a coin. As illustrated, the case is provided with a coin chute or guideway in the form of a flatte'ned tube 43, open at its upper end to receive a coin and discharging at its lower end into a coin receiver 44. Extending into the coin tube is a lever 45, pivoted intermediate its ends upon a pivot pin 46, and carrying at one side thereof a projection, stop or shoulder 47. The shaft 41 carries a depending arm 48, shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 5. The end of the arm is extended at right angles to the general direction of the length of the arm and this extended end 49 does not extend into the path of the lever, so that it may swing in either direction to an elevation above the lever when its course is not interrupted by the stop 47. The back end of the lever 45 is held between two springs and 51. The former of these serves to support the lever, while the latter serves to resist the upward movement of the rear end of the lever. The front end of the lever 45 extends through a slot in the side of the coin tube 43, and is adapted to be operated by the insertion of a coin. The weight of the coin partially overcomes the spring 51, so that the front end of the lever 45 may be lowered a short distance but not sulficient to liberate the coin. This slight lowering movement brings the stop 47 partially out of the path of the end 49 of the arm 48 so that the latter may swing beneath said stop.

Before the insertion of a coin, the parts may be in the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, that is, the end 49 of the arm 48 is in front of the stop 47, or upon the opposite side from that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. With the lever 45 and the stop 47 lowered to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the lever may be swung downwardly and rearwardly and the end 49 of the arm 48 will pass over the stop 47 and depress the lever still further against the action of the spring 51. This further lowering movement .iberates the coin from the end of the lever 45 and permits it to drop down the tube into engagement with a sliding partition or shoulder 52 adjacent the lower end of the tube. Here the coin is held during the dispensing of the first card by the mechanism hereinafter described. The lever 45 serves not only to liberate the arm 48 and permit a rotation of the shaft 41, but it also unlocks the rods 32 and permits any one of the buttons 33 to bc ressed to liberate the card-bearing tray and limit the further rotation of the latter. For accomplishing this, the locking plate 38, previously described, is connected with the lever 45 by jointed links 53 and 54, normally tending to hold the flange 39 of the plate 38 in position. Upon the raising of the rear end of the lever 45, these links permit the plate to tilt to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and to thus liberate all of the rods 32. The extent to which the lever 45 will be operated upon the insertion of a coin, will depend upon the tension of the spring. 51, and by varying the tension of this spring, the machine may be adapted for operation by penny, five cent piece, or by any other desired coin. As illustrated, this tensioncontrolling mechanism includes a weighted arm 55 pivoted to a stud 56 extending outwardly from the wall of the case 23 and rigidly connected to the spring 51 adjacent said stud. A second stud 57 extends outwardly beneath the weighted arm, and a regulating screw 58 extends through the weighted arm into engagement with this stud. The screw and stud limit the downward movement of the weighted arm, and as the spring is connected to the arm, they regulate the tension of the spring.

The insertion of a coin operates to unlock or liberate the main dispensing mechanism, so that the latter may be operated. After the insertion of the coin, the mechanism operated thereby does not come into play again until after the card has been dispensed, whereupon it operates to again lock the dis pensing mechanism against further movement, unless the machine be so constructed as to permit of the dispensing of a predetermined number of cards upon the insertion of a single coin.

The card-dispensing mechanism proper includes means for descending into engagement with a card, gripping the latter, lifting it upwardly, conveying it to the delivery opening, and. ejecting it therefrom. The mechanisms for carrying out these operations are controlled directly from the shaft 41 and are operated upon the oscillation of the latter. Adjacent each end of the shaft 41 are mounted two sleeves 59, each held from longitudinal movement along the shaft and each capable of a limited rotation in respect thereto. The means for preventing longitudinal movement may include a screw 60 extending into a corresponding groove in the shaft, while the means for permitting of a limited rotation may comprise a stud 61 carried by the shaft and extending through a slot, or cutaway portion 62 in the sleeve. Depending from each sleeve is an arm 63 terminating in a laterally and forwardlyextending hook end 64. Extending longitudinally of the arms are slots 65 constituting guideways for a reciprocating frame 66. This frame is free to slide up and down in the slots 65, save when controlled by other mechanism. The upper end of the frame is provided with a link 67 pivoted to an arm 68 carried by a sleeve 69 mounted on the shaft 41. The shaft 41 may, if desired, be formed of two separate sections, each extending into the centrally-disposed sleeve 69 and terminating therein; this facilitates the construction of the device and the assembling of the parts. The sleeve, adjacent each end, is provided with slots or recesses for receiv' -ing outwardly-extending studs 70 carried.

by the shaft sections, so that the sleeve 69 has a limited rotation in respect to the shaft. The frame extends laterally in each direction beyond the two arms 63 and terminates in two studs or standards carrying rollers 71.. These rollers are mounted to travel on corresponding stationary tracks or guideways 72 rigidly mounted within the case. Each guideway is provided with a curved section 73, extending through approxi-.

mately ninety degrees, and concentric with the shaft 41 and at the lower end of each curved section is a downwardly-extending section 74 serving as a drop-off from the .curved portion. The vertically-extending portions 74 come at each side of the card supporting pocket of the rotating tray and are of sufficient height so that the frame 66 may reciprocate the desired distance to pick up a card irrespective of the number of cards in the pile. The frame is forced downwardly as soon as the rollers pass the end of the curved sections of the track, by means l l r I l r i 1 r i i i I i l l of coil springs 75 encircling the upper portions'of the arms 63 and engaging with the frame 66 at those portions thereof which. extend through the slots 65.

At the lower end of the frame 66 is pivotally suspended our improved plate 76, by means of which the card is picked up from the pile. This plate is provided with a series of very small and very sharp projections, which, when the plate is forced downwardly under the action of the springs 7 5, enter the top card of the pile and hold the card in engagement with the plate. The length of these pin points or projections is such that they will not pass through into a second card, but such that they will effect ively hold one card during the upward movement of the plate and before our i mproved gripping members come into operation. For gripping the card as soon as it is picked up from the pile, we employ two gripping arms 77, each having its upper end secured to the frame 66 and having its lower end terminating in an inwardly-extending hook. The spring arms or gripping members engage with the hook-shaped ends 64 of the arms 63, and to reduce friction, such hook ends may, if desired, carry rollers for engagement with the inner sidesof the spring arms. The arms are so curved and hear such relationship to the hook ends 64, that the downward movement of the frame 66 and said spring arms to bring the plate 76 into engagement with a card, as illustrated in Fig. 6, spreads the spring arms 77 apart to such a distance that their lower ends are beyond the edges of the pile of cards. Upon the upward movement of the frame 66 and the spring arms, the card is lifted off the pile by the plate 76 and the spring arms come toward each other, to grip the edges of the card and insure its being held in engagr-tvment with the plate 76.

As the shaft 41 is rotated from the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 by moving the handle 40 downwardly, the studs 61 engage with the sleeves 59 to rotate the latter and swing the arms 63 and the frame 66 carried thereby through the arc of a circle. The springs 75 are held under compression as the frame 66 is supported by the curved portions 73 of the track. When the arms have been swung to such a position that the rollers 71 reach the end of the curved portion 73, the frame 66 is liberated and permitted to drop straight downwardly and the plate 76 is forced into engagement with the top card, to cause the projections on said. plate to enter said card. This downwardv movement of the frame also serves to spread apart the spring arms 76 and cause the links 67 and 68 to come to the position indicated in Fig. 5. This rotates the center sleeve 69 to its opposite limiting positionv in respect to the studs or pins 7 0 When the parts reach this position, further movement of the operating handle 40 is prevented by the guide 42.

During the rotation of the shaft 41, as above described, the pins 61 have been in engagement with the ends of the slots or cutaway portions 62 and the arms have been positively moved. As soon as the frame 66 is permitted to drop, the sleeve 69 is rotated to such an extent that the pins 7 O are brought to the opposite ends of their respective slots. 1'

At this ti are, the shaft 41 has been rotated to the limiting extent and the handle 40 is in engagement with the rear end of the guideway 42. Upon swinging the handle in the reverse direction, the shaft 41 will be rotated, but this rotation will not be imparted to the sleeves 59 and arms 63 at first, due to the length of the slots or cutaway portions 62; but the sleeve 69 will-be rotated at the very beginning of the rotation of the shaft 41, as the lost motion has been taken up by the drop ing of the frame 66 under the influence of tile springs 75. r-is the shaft 41 is rotated, the links 77 and 79 and the sleeve 69 will operate to lift the frame 66 vertically, together with the card carried by the plate 76, and during its upward movement, the spring arms 77 will come together to grip the edges of the card. At the instant the rollers 71 reach the upper end of the vertical portions 74 of the track, the pins 61 will have moved to the ends of their corresponding slots 62 and further rotation of the shaft 41 will bring about a corresponding rotation of the arms 63 and a forward swinging of said arms and the fra;ne 66. The links 67 and 68 may also assist in this swinging movement.

The next step in the operation is the releasing of the card from. the plate 76 and the gripping arms 77. The card is dispensed through an opening 78, and directly above this opening is mounted a depending spring arm or bar 7 9, the lower end of which (3011168 below the lower surface of the plate 76 when the latter is in its extreme forward position, as indicated in Fig. 3. viously stated, is pivoted to the frame 66 and due to the weight and form of the card conveyed, it tends to retain a position in a horizontal plane at all times. its the plate reaches the position indicated in Fig. 3, the arm. 79 engages with the upper surface thereof and forces said card out of engagement with the projections on the under surface of said plate. For spreading the arms 77 apart, there is employed a stationary spreader in the form of a pointed bar or plate 80, having its upper end secured to a cross bar 81 and having its lower end so disposed that it enters between the two spring arms 77 after the latter have conveyed the card to the desired position adjacent the opening 78. The spring arms may, if desired, each carry a small roller 82 to facilitate the entry of the pointed end of the plate 80. During this The plate 76, as pre- Big. 6.

spreading movement by the action of the spreader or plate 80, the lower ends of the arms are caused to move out of engagement with the hooks 64 and out of engagement with the card. The card is now dropped upon an apron or supporting platform 83, which supports the card in a horizontal position, while the latter is forced outwardly by our improved ejecting mechanism. This apron or platform is pivoted at its front edge adjacent the opening 78, and is adapted. to be swung downwardly and out of the path of the card during the upward and forward movement of the latter. For releasing the apron, the shaft 41 is provided with a collar 84, adjacent one end and rigid in respect thereto, and to this collar is secured a depending arm 85. Vertically movable within suitable guides carried by the wall of the casing 23, is a rod 86, having the lower end thereof extending laterally through a slot 87 in an upturned flange 88 of an extension of the apron. The up er end of the rod 86 terminates in a later-a ly-extending projection 89 lying in the path of the end of the 85. As the card is being lifted and swung forwardly, the arm swings forwardly without producing any effect, until it comes into engagement with the projection 89. During this time the card has been raised and brought forward a portion of the required distance. Further movement of the arm 85 causes the rod 86 to be lifted vertically, which raises the apron 83, from the position indicated in Fig. 5 to the position indicated in Fig. 3. It will thus be noted that the apron is not in the path of the card during the first portion of the movement of the latter, but after the card is raised and brought forward a short distance, the apron swings upwardly beneath the card, so as to receive and support the latter when it is released from the plate 76 and the arms 77.

After the card reaches a position upon the apron 83 and has been released from the conveying mechanism, our improved ejector comes into operation. This ejector cornprises an arm 90, rigidly secured to the shaft 41 intermediateits ends. Preferably, the upper end of the arm is in the form of a yoke an engages with the shaft at each end of the sleeve 69, as indicated in dotted lines in The arm carries upon its front face a spring 91, the upper end of which is rigidly secured to the arm and the lower end of which is movable toward and from the arm and within a guide 92. At the lower end of the spring 91 there is secured a second spring 93 extending transversely of the machine and of such a length that its ends will come into engagement with the vertical portions 74 of the tracks or guides. During the last portion of the rotation of the shaft 41, the ends of the spring come into engagement with these vertical portions, although the arm continues its forward movement. During the releasing of the card from the conveying mechanism, the ends of the spring 93 are being held against forward movement and the center of the spring is being carried forwardly by the arm 90. Just after the card has been released and dropped down on to the apron 83, the center of the spring 93 has reached such a position that the ends of said spring slip past the ver= tical portions 74 of the track and thesudden forward movement of the lower end of the spring upon its release, ives a sudden pulse to the card and the latter isejected through the o ening 7 8. Normally, the spring 91 will e in enga ement with the card at the time said spring is released and may even serve to slowly move said card forwardly before the sudden impulse is given by the releasing of the ends of the spring 93.

The ocket in which each pile of cards is retaine is open at the end nearest to the dispensing outlet 78, and in icking upthe card there is always the possibility of bringing a second card a short distance or other wise displacing it. For insuring the proper formation for each pile after a card is withdrawn therefrom, there is provided a stacker in the form of a slide 94, movable into en'- gagement with the end of the pile beneatl'i the dispensing apparatuswhile the latter is in operation. This slide 94 is provided with a vertically-disposed wall 95 for engagement with the end of the pile and a link 96 'piv otally connects the slide and the lower end of a depending arm 97, secured to the apron or platform 83. With the apron in its lowered position, as indicated in Fig. 5 the arm 97 comes adjacent the end of the case and the slide is out of engagement with the end of the pile of cards, so that the tray may be freely rotated. The raising of the apron brings the slide to the position indicated in Fig. 3, and the cards are all neatly stacked within the pocket.

The mechanism above described permits of the unlocking of the rotatable tray and the dispensing of a single card upon the insertion of a coin, as the return movement of the handle from its forward movement brings the extended end 49 of the arm 48 into engagement with the stop 47.

The machine is preferably so constructed that upon the insertion of one coin, two cards may be dispensed. To secure this result, the lever 45 is provided with a branch lever 98 extending downwardly and then laterally to a position beneath the lower end of the coin tube 43. The partition 52 is connected at its outer end to a lever 99 pivoted on a stud 100, and the upper end of this lever lies in the path of movement of the arm 48. At the be inning of the move ment of the arm after the insertion of a coin,

ass-ass the u per end of the lever 99 is forced rearward y and the partition 52 is moved into the tube to sto the coin which dros upon the lowerih" of the lever 45, said owenn movement sing brought about by the en gagement of the lever with the upper side of the stop 47. The return movement of the lever during the conveying of the card to the dispensing opening, raises the lever 45 above its normal position and swings the upper end of the lever 99 forwardly. This movement of the lever 99 withdraws the partition 52 and'permits the'coin to drop to the lower end of the tube and into engage ment with the lower end of the branch lever 98. The weight of the coin depresses the branch lever together with the main lever 45 earrying the same in the same manner that the lever was originally depressed by the coin tnkin' the end of the lever 45. The

machine may now be operated a second time, as the arm 48 will pass over the stop 47 to de ress the lever 45 to a still greater extent, at this further depression moves the lower end of the branch lever 98 out from beneath the tube and the coin falls into the coin box. After the dispensing of the sec-- ond card, the lever 45 will be in its normal position and the stop 47 willengage with the arm 48 to prevent the machine from being operated to dispense a third card.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

-1. A machine of the class described including a supporting mechanism for a row of articles to be dispensed, a dispensing mechanism, said mechanisms being relatively movable, a series of keys carried by one of said mechanisms, and coacting means for locking said mechanisms in different relative positions upon the operation of different keys.

2. A machine of the class described, including a rotatable member adapted to support a plurality of articles to be dispensed, a dis pensing mechanism adapted to be brought into operative relationship with any one of said articles upon the rotation of said mem ber, a spirally disposed series of stops carried by said member, and independently operable members any one of which may be brou ht into engagement with its corre spon ing stop to limit the extent of rotation of said member.

3. A machine of the class described, including a circular supporting mechanism for a series of articles to be dispensed, a dispensing mechanism, said mechanism being relatively rotatable, a series ofkeys carried by one of said mechanisms, and coacting means for locking said mechanisms in different positions upon the operation of different keys.

4. A machine of the class described, including a rotatable tray adapted to support a se-' ries cf articles te be dispensed, a dlspensing mechanism, a series of keys carried by said mechanism, and coacting means for locking said tray in different positions upon the operation of different keys. I A machine of the class described, including a rotatable tray adapted to support a series of articles to be dispensed, a dispensing mechanism extending over a portion of said tray, means for rotating the tray, a series of keys carried by said mechanism, and coacting means for locking said tray in different.

positions upon the operation of different keys.

6. A machine of the class described, including rotatable tray adapted to support an annular row of articles to be dispensed, dispensing mechanism, a series of plungers carried by said mechanism, a series of stops car ried by said tray, and means for operating any one of said stops to determine the extent of rotation of the tray.

7. A machine of the class described, including a rotatable tray adapted to support an annular row of articles to be dispensed, dispensing mechanism, a series of plungers carried by said mechanism, a series of stops carried by said tray, means for operating any one of said stops to determine the extent of rotation of the tray, and means for locking any plunger in its depressed position.

8. A machine of the class described, in eluding a rotatable tray adapted to support a series of articles to be dispensed, a dispensing mechanism, a series of vertically-disposed plungers carried by said mechanism, a series of stops carried by said tray and adapted to cooperate with said plungers upon the depression of the latter, and means for locking any plunger against return movement, to lock the tray against further rotation.

9. A machine of the class described, including a rotatable tray adapted to support a series of articles to be dispensed, a dispensing mechanism, a series of vertically-disposed plnngers carried by said mechanism, a series of stops carried by said tray and adapted to cooperate with said plungers upon the depression of the latter, means for locking any plunger against return movement, to lock the tray against further rotation, and control lable means for normally looking all of said plungers against depression.

10. A machine of the class described, including a movable tray adapted to support a series of articles to be dispensed, and a dispensin mechanism extending over a portion of saic tray, said mechanism including a movable member, a plate pivotallyconnected to said member and having a series of sharp projections adapted to be forced into engagement with an article, and means for moving said member to convey said plate and the article from said tray.

1 1. A dispensing mechanism, including arms adapted to engage with opposite sides of an article to be dispensed, means for separating said arms to permit the gripping of the article, independent means for separating said arms to permit the release of the article and ejecting mechanism. operating upon the article after its release.

12. A. dispensing mechanism, including a plate having series of pointed projections adapted to be forced into engagement with an article to be dispensed, spring arms adapted to engage with the article to hold it in engagement with said plate, and means for simultaneously moving said plate and said arms to convey the article.

13. A dispensing mechanism, including a plate having a series of pointed projections adapted to be forced into engagement with an article to be dispensed, spring arms adapted to engage with the article to hold it in engagement with said plate, means for simultaneously moving said plate and said arms to convey the article, and means for simultaneously separating said arms and forcing said article out of engagement with said plate.

14. A dispensing mechanism, including a frame, a plate pivoted thereto and adapted to engage with the surface of an article to be dispensed, spring arms carried by said frame and adapte to engage with said article, and means whereby the forcing of the plate into engagement with the article separates said arms.

15. A dispensing mechanism, including a shaft, depending arms carried thereby, a frame carried by said arms and radially mo able in respect thereto, means carried by said frame for receiving and holding an article to be dispensed, and means for releasing said article from the last-mentioned means after the rotation of said shaft to a predetermined extent.

16. A dispensing mechanism, including a rock shaft, two spring arms carried thereby adapted to engage with. opposite sides of an article to be dispensed, means for rotating said shaft to swing said arms to convey the article, and a pointed plate adapted to enter between said arms to separate them and release the article.

17. A dispensing mechanism, including a casing having an outlet opening, a pivoted operating member, a late carried thereby and having a series 0' pointed projections adapted to engage with the article to be dispensed, means for swinging said member to bring the plate and the article adjacent said outlet opening, and means adjacent said opening for engagement with the article to release it from said plate.

18. A dispensing mechanism, including a casing having an outlet opening, conveymg mechanism for engagement with an article and conveying it to said opening, and a spring 20. A dispensing mechanism, including a casing having an outlet opening, means for conveying an article to a position adjacent said opening, a movable supporting apron hinged adjacent said opening, and means for swinging said apron to substantially a horizontal position, to receive the article from receive the card, means for e ecting the card said conveying means.

21. A dispensing mechanism, including a. case having an outlet opening, an apron hinged adjacent said opening, a conveying mechanism adapted to engage with an article and transport the same to adjacent said opening, means for releasing said article to permit of its being deposited upon said apron, and means for engaging with said article to eject the same through said opening.

22. A machine of the class described, including means for supporting a pack of cards or the like, dispensing mechanism, including a casing extending over said pile and having an outlet opening, means for engaging with the top card of said pile and conveying the same to said opening, and means for engaging with said pile of cards to insure the regular formation of said pile after each card is re moved therefrom.

23. A machine of the class described, including means for supporting a pile of cards, a dispensing mechanism including a casing,

the movements of said apron for engag ng with the pile to insure the regular formation of the latter, after the removal of each card therefrom.

25. A dispensing mechanism, including card-gripping means, means for releasing the card from said gripping means, a supporting apron to receive said card, and means for ejecting the card from said apron.

26. A dispensing mechanism, including card-conveying means, a movable apron to from said apron, a rock shaft, and means for operating each of said means upon the oscillation of said rock shaft.

27. A machine of the class described, comprising a tray for supporting a pile of cards, means for withdrawing a card from said pile and conveying the same, means for releasing said card from said conveying means, means for engaging with said ile to insure the regular formation of the atter after the withdrawal of each card, a rock shaft, and connections for operating all of said means inv order upon the oscillation of said shaft.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of we subscribing witnesses.

WVILLIAM D. EVANS. JOHN T. MARSHALL.

Witnesses:

J. W. HARPOLE, Jr., C. M. WIGGINS. 

